Diocese of Grafton 2006

The Grafton Diocese began the year with a new Diocesan President, Gae Shorten from Coffs Harbour who took over from Yvonne Brand. The Diocese extends from Tweed Heads in the North to Kempsey in the South is long and narrow and during the year the MU Branches North and South of Grafton meet and keep in touch. This is known as our Northern and Southern Zones and this year we also welcomed new Presidents for each Zone. Rae Coles from Tweed Heads took over the Northern Zone and Sandra Chambers from Sawtell took over the Southern Zone.

	The first event this year was Lady Day, 25 March 2006, held at Sawtell. The new Southern Zone President, Sandra Chambers is shown conferring with the Guest Speaker, Rev Dr Anne Solari prior to the service.

During the Service Joan Norman was presented with her 25 year badge by Gae Shorten. Joan is currently the Prayer and Spirituality Coordinator for the Diocese and joined the Diocesan Executive this year. Joan has represented three Dioceses at Executive level and has been a member of AC while a Diocesan President.


NORTHERN ZONE

The Northern Zone combined Lady Day with their Outreach Day and celebrated it at Alstonville on Monday, 27 March 2006. This was a combined effort with the Alstonville and Goolmangar Branches combining to do the catering for an excellent lunch. Two very special presentations were made at this service: a 60 YEAR and 50 YEAR presentation.

Daisey Onslow from Goolmangar being presented with her 60 year award		Noela Slade from Alstonville who was presented with her 50 year award talking with Diocesan President, Gae Shorten.

		The new Northern Zone President, Ray Coles is pictured making a presentation to Rev Nicole Dollery at the combined Lady Day/Outreach Luncheon. The day was deemed a great success and a great example of cooperation between two branches. All agreed it made the workload much easier. Over 135 attended and thus a substantial donation was made to Outreach.



TWEED HEADS BRANCH CELEBRATED 50 YEARS

Tweed Heads Golden Years celebration was one of euphoria and sadness. Tweed Heads is the largest Branch in the Diocese of Grafton and they admitted their 70th Member, Maria Gandey, during the Thanksgiving Service on 17 May 2006. As well as this they were currently preparing two more members to be admitted in the coming months. The Eucharist was celebrated by Rev Fr Ben Clarke. Gae Shorten, the Diocesan President made the presentation to Robyn Morriset for her 25 years of service. The sadness of the occasion was the loss of their member Marjorie Sellicks who passed away on 12 May and who was to have received her 50 year presentation at this service. It was, however, acknowledged and the presentation was made to her family at her funeral that afternoon and her certificate and badge placed on her casket.


Robyn Morriset, Gae Shorten, Fr Ben Clarke, Yvonne Brand, Branch President and Maria Gandey, Tweed’s newest member. Gae was also the Guest Speaker at the Luncheon that followed.		Rae Coles and Eileen Newell, both previous Branch Presidents cutting the cake

Guests from many of Grafton’s MU Branches attended and from the Gold Coast Branches. A huge cake was made and decorated by Joan Clarkson and instead of candles there were 70 miniature flags with the name of each member adorning it. Quite a feat. Grafton Diocese is well and active and preparing for our Diocesan Conference at Stuarts Point on 18-20 August 2006. Any MU member and friend is welcome to attend. Details can be obtained by contacting Gae Shorten or any of the Diocesan Executive at anytime. Preparations are also in hand for the NSW State Conference next year and all are welcome. Details are available from Isabel Farlow, State President or from the NSW State President’s Web Page.

Joyce Shepherd 3rd Vice President/Web Person Phone 02 6628 1793 or email: joyce@stephanies.com.au